Organ manipulator apparatus

Abstract

Organ manipulation devices for atraumatically grasping the surface of an organ and repositioning the organ to allow access to a location on the organ that would otherwise be substantially inaccessible. Methods of accessing a beating heart, retracting the heart using an organ manipulation apparatus, and stabilizing a surgical target area with a stabilizer. Both the organ manipulator and stabilizer are fixed to a stationary object which may be a sternal retractor. A system for performing beating heart coronary artery bypass grafting includes a sternal retractor, organ manipulator and stabilizer.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. An organ manipulation apparatus comprising:
 a suction member configured to exert sufficient force on an organ to move the organ when the suction member is placed against the organ, a relative negative pressure is established in a space between the suction member and the organ, and the suction member is moved; 
 a compliant seal around a perimeter of said suction member, said compliant seal being substantially C-shaped in cross section and deformable to conform to the shape of a surface of the organ upon contact therewith, the C-shape of said compliant seal being formed around a space, wherein said seal compresses when contacted to tissue such that portions of the C-shaped seal move toward one another reducing the volume of the space; 
 a support structure adapted to be substantially rigidly fixed to a relatively immovable object; and 
 a suspension interconnecting said suction member and said support structure, said suspension allowing at least a limited amount movement of said suction member with respect to said support member to accommodate natural movements of the organ. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said compliant seal comprises a silicone gasket. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said compliant seal is mechanically interlocked with said suction member. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said compliant seal is bonded to said suction member. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said compliant seal is integrally molded with said suction member. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said suction member comprises a cup-shaped member. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said suction member comprises silicone. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure comprises an articulating arm having a flexible state and a rigid state. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said suspension allows at least a limited amount of rotation of said suction member with respect to said support member to accommodate natural movements of the organ. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said suspension allows a limited amount of translation of said suction member, along an axis of said suction member, with respect to said support structure. 
     
     
       11. A member for use in an organ manipulation apparatus, configured to exert sufficient force on an organ to move the organ when the member is placed against the organ and affixed thereto, said member comprising:
 a suction member adapted to establish a relative negative pressure in a space between said suction member and the organ when said suction member is contacted with a surface of the organ; and 
 a compliant seal around a perimeter of said suction member, said compliant seal being substantially C-shaped in cross section and deformable to conform to the shape of a surface of the organ upon contact therewith, the C-shape of said compliant seal comprising an opening leading into a space, said opening facing an external environment of said member. 
 
     
     
       12. The member of  claim 11 , wherein said suction member comprises a cup-shaped member.